It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. The lights, the tree, the music, the cookies – everything about this season is cheerful. Spirits are higher, people are more hopeful, and there is a general sense of excitement that comes around Christmas time. Children are anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival, adults embrace the season of giving and charity, and all across our state Missourians are wondering if we’ll have a white Christmas.

Every Christmas season, I look forward to spending time with my family. This year we’ll have a house full of sisters, brothers, cousins, and all six grandchildren. I’m looking forward to the holiday chaos and to Santa Claus visiting our house -- there are few more joyful sights than a child’s face on Christmas morning.

While gift giving and traditions are parts of Christmas we all look forward to, it’s important that we remember the reason for the season. It’s easy to get caught up in the Christmas chaos, but what we are truly celebrating is the birth of Jesus Christ. God sent his son to earth to teach us, guide us, and ultimately die for us – giving us the gift of eternal life.  It can sometimes seem like Americans are just concerned with giving the latest and greatest gifts, but if you look a little bit closer you will see that love, charity, and hope – all pillars of our Christian faith – remain very much part of the American Christmas tradition.

It is especially important to think about the men and women in our military who are deployed and unable to share this holiday season with their families. This is the time of year when we all want to embrace treasured Christmas traditions with our loved ones. But many of our troops and their families will be spending this Christmas half a world apart. As always -- but especially during the Christmas season -- we pray for the safety of our troops and for the families who are missing them at home.

The holiday season brings out the best in Missourians. From the Jaycees Candyland Christmas Parade in Jefferson City, to the incredible decorations at the Governor’s mansion, to the St. Charles Christmas Traditions Festival, our state really gets in the spirit. Missouri is also home to some of the most generous people you could ever hope to meet. In the season of giving, it is always heartwarming to see our communities come together not just to exchange gifts, but to remember those less fortunate. I’m so grateful to live in a place where there is such an importance placed on community all year round, but especially at this special time of year.

On behalf of my family, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!